A t-shirt is just a t-shirt, right? You might think that until you put on one that ‘just doesn’t look right’. Keep reading to see which t-shirt will look best on each body shape and my favorite picks at every price level.

Please note: I use affiliate marketing partners to help make shopping easier for you. When you click on affiliate links, I will receive a small amount of compensation at no extra charge to you.

Pear-shaped women are smaller through the chest and shoulders, have a defined waist, and are wider through the hips and booty area. (Not sure what shape you are? Take the Quiz!)

Look for t-shirts that…

Are fitted or semi-fitted. Loose t-shirts will hide your waist and make you look bigger on the bottom than you are. Choosing more fitted options helps define your curves.

Are boat neck, square neck, or scoop neck. The more horizontal the neckline, the better the t-shirt will look on you. That’s because it visually makes your top half look wider and more in proportion to your bottom half.

Have embellished necklines. If you love a little glitz- you’re in luck! Shirts with embellished necklines will look great on you.

Have sleeves shorter than elbow length. The best sleeve length for you is the middle of the upper arm.

Avoid t-shirts that…

End at the widest part of your hips. This will make you look wider than you are.

Are baggy…unless you are tucking them into something right at the waist (like a pair of high waisted pants or a high waisted pencil skirt).

Apple shaped women have similar size chests/shoulders and hips/booty areas with a wider middle section. (Not sure what shape you are? Take the Quiz!)

Look for t-shirts that…

Are made from a substantial fabric. A thicker fabric will not cling to your middle area.

Are v-neck or scoop neck.

With hemlines that hit around your hip bones.

Have either short sleeves (middle of upper arm or shorter) or longer sleeves (middle of forearm or lower).

Avoid t-shirts that…

Made from a light-weight jersey. These will cling and accenuate your middle.

Have bright prints or patterns across the middle.

Top T-shirt picks for Apple Shapes:

Want to know more about dressing your shape? You’re in luck- I wrote a whole blog post about how to dress your best as an Apple!

Hourglass shaped women are fuller through the chest and hips area and have a smaller, defined waist. (Not sure what shape you are? Take the Quiz!)

Look for t-shirts that…

Are fitted or semi-fitted. Loose t-shirts will hide your waist and make you look bigger than you are. Choosing more fitted options helps define your curves.

Have hemlines that fall around your belly button. I know this sounds short, but it’s the most flattering length! Just make sure the shirt doesn’t show any skin when you raise your arms in a normal manner.

Have sleeves shorter than elbow length. The best sleeve length for you is the middle of the upper arm.

Avoid t-shirts that…

End at the widest part of your hips. This will make you look wider than you are.

Are baggy…unless you are tucking them into something right at the waist (like a pair of high waisted pants or a high waisted pencil skirt).

Top T-shirt picks for Hourglass Shapes:

Want to know more about dressing your shape? You’re in luck- I wrote a whole blog post about dressing hourglass ladies!

Inverted Triangle shaped women are wider through the chest and shoulders, have a defined waist, and have a smaller hip/booty area. (Not sure what shape you are? Take the Quiz!)

Look for t-shirts that…

Are fitted or semi-fitted. Loose t-shirts will hide your waist and give you a potato sack look.

Are v-neck, deep scoop neck, or crew neck. Look for necklines that have more vertical lines (like a v-neck) than horizontal lines (like a boat neck). This keeps your shoulders from looking wider than they are.

Have simple necklines and sleeves.

Have longer sleeves. The most flattering T’s on you will have elbow length or longer sleeves.

Avoid t-shirts that…

Have fancy sleeves (ruffles, poofy, etc.)

Have really thick fabric. You will actually be better off in t-shirts with thinner fabric.

Have boat necks.

Top T-shirt picks for Inverted Triangle Shapes:

Want to know more about dressing your shape? You’re in luck- I wrote a whole blog post about dressing inverted triangles!

Rectangle shaped women have equal size chest, waist, and hip areas. (Not sure what shape you are? Take the Quiz!)

Look for t-shirts that…

Are looser or semi-fitted styles.

Have any neckline. You’re lucky because any neckline will look great on you!

With hemlines that hit around your hip bones.

Have either short sleeves (middle of upper arm or shorter) or longer sleeves (middle of forearm or lower). This visually makes your waist seem more defined.

Avoid t-shirts that…

Are really detailed on either the top or bottom. You want to have something that is equally visual on the top of the shirt and the bottom.

Top T-shirt picks for Rectangle Shapes:

Want to know more about dressing your shape? You’re in luck- I wrote a whole blog post about how to dress your best- just for Rectangles!

It’s not always easy getting dressed for work, especially since dress codes are starting to trend more towards casual than professional. You used to wake up, put on a suit or dress (and stockings of course!), and head out the door.

Now, it’s much more complicated.

What does business casual mean? How can I wear jeans without looking sloppy?

The answers to these questions aren’t simple and can’t be contained in just one blog post. However, I hope to provide you some ideas and insight that will make your morning ‘getting ready for work’ routine a little bit better.

Keeping your work wardrobe to just neutral colors with one or two signature colors makes dressing easy AND it looks sophisticated. I call that a win-win.

You can never go wrong with a button down blouse and a pair of pants. Tuck in the shirt and add a belt for a professional look.

Tip #1: Know your dress code. Every company has their own dress code. If you don’t know the dress code for your workplace, ask your Human Resources professional. This will help provide a clear yes and no to what you can and can’t wear.

Jackets make everything look more polished- and are a must on jean Fridays (they balance out the informality of jeans and still keep you looking like the pro you are).

Tip #2: Know what looks good on your body shape. If you are a pear shape (have wider hips/booty and a smaller bust/shoulder area) then you will tend to look better in darker bottoms. Knowing what flatters your body shape will help make shopping and putting outfits together easier. Find out your body shape and how to dress for it here.

Invest in a few dresses that are flattering and professional. I have found that Calvin Klein (available at most department stores) dresses look great on most body shapes. They are also easy to wear with heels (if you want to dress things up) or flats (for a more casual look).

Tip #3: I get dressed in under 3 minutes every day. How? I have a special formula I use that is now second nature to me. By mentally going through the formula when I get ready, I don’t have to think twice about what I’m doing (which is good, because there’s only so much thinking I’m capable of that early in the morning!) Keep scrolling to get the free webinar and start saving time in the mornings.

What’s the hardest part about picking out work outfits for you? Comment below and I’ll write a blog post about it!

If you’re anything like me, your instagram feed is clogged with intimate ads from what feels like a new company each day who is trying to claim a piece of the 11 billion dollar intimate industry pie (according to Transperancy Market Research).

For years, it was really just Victoria’s Secret and department stores. Now, there’s Adore me, Lively, ThirdLove, True & Co., and HarperWilde just to name a few.

These are mostly online based companies which means you can’t actually try the undergarments on…which leaves me wondering: Can these companies lure in new buyers with only claims like, “the most comfortable bra you’ll ever own” and “a better fitting brat- no measuring required”?

Curious, I decided to see for myself. I purchased comparable bras from two of the biggest new online intimate retailers: ThirdLove and Lively.

Here’s my official review.

ThirdLove (yes, technically it’s all one word)

I chose ThirdLove because they were the brand that I kept seeing the most often. I can’t even imagine how much money they have spent on everything from ads to free bras for Instagram influencers. So, I decided to drink the Kool-aid and see if the products really lived up to the hype.

The claim: “Insanely comfortable bras, designed to fit perfectly”. They cater to all different sizes and shapes.

What I bought: I took the fit quiz and was recommended the 24/7 Classic T-Shirt Bra. I was looking for a classic t-shirt bra, so they pretty much nailed that.

Shipping: I paid $4.99 for shipping. I received a shipping confirmation the same day I ordered and received the package a few days later.

Pros: This is probably the only bra that’s actually really fit- thanks to the half sizing. In most B cups, there’s just a little bit of room. This little pocket of air isn’t visible with most bras, but you can feel it if you push down on the cup of the bra. Now granted, no one is actually poking my bra and would know or care, but it’s worth noting. The ThirdLove bra is the first bra I’ve worn that’s literally flush with my skin. Another huge plus is that this bra comes in 9 different skin tone colors as opposed to Lively’s 3 (two of which I will argue could actually be skin tones).

Cons: This bra wasn’t cheap. I think it’s reasonably priced for a well-fitting everyday bra, but it still seems expensive when compared to companies like Lively.

Meh: The straps aren’t flat, so I have to be careful about wearing tight-fitting clothing or the little ridges will show through. I’ve never had a problem with straps falling down, so I can’t really say ThirdLove is any better or worse than other bra brands. I’m also not sure I would call it the most comfortable bra I’ve ever worn. It is comfortable for an underwire bra, but I’m not exactly forgetting its presence.

Total Cost: The bra was $68. After the $4.99 shipping, the total was $72.

Lively

ThirdLove was the obvious first choice of brand to compare (because of all the advertising dollars they spend) but the second choice was harder. There were several other companies I could have chosen like True&Co. or Adore Me. In the end, I chose Lively because True&Co’s staple bra is so fugly I can’t even and Lively was more popular than Adore Me (thus probably more helpful to you).

Shipping: Unlike ThirdLove, shipping was free, but the order also took about a week to arrive. It was the perfect Catch 22 for a millennial addicted to Amazon Prime and free two-day shipping: should I pay more and have it ship sooner or pay nothing and have it ship later?

Pros: I didn’t think that ThirdLove was priced badly until I realized that I could buy two Lively bras for less than one ThirdLove bra. Also- I’m the type of person that likes pretty underwear, even if I’m the only one that’s going to see it. With that said, I really appreciated the subtle pretty details on the Lively bras. I also liked that it was everything I needed and nothing more (but wasn’t totally hideous).

Cons: You remember that little gap I mentioned in the ThirdLove review? It totally exists with the Lively bras because I went up to a B instead of going down to an A. If I decide to buy another bra, I may see what the difference is between an A and B cup fit. This gap doesn’t bother me (note: the top of the bra isn’t gaping- hence why you can’t see it unless you touch it) but I am listing it as a con. Also- Lively offers fewer skin tone colors than ThirdLove. The bra I bought only came in almond (aka: general pale white person), grey (hopefully no one’s skin tone), and jet black (dark African skin tone).

Total Cost: Two bras came at a discount of $27.50 a piece. Because I didn’t pay shipping, my total was a flat $55 for both bras. Looking back now, I also think I had a $10 off coupon as the price is usually 2 bras for $60.

The Final Result?

I would recommend ThirdLove if you have a hard to fit size or are looking for any skin color past average white girl and Lively if you need a great bra at a good price. Overall, I think Lively wins (for me!) because it offers a greater selection of bras, is reasonably priced, and is equally comfortable to its competitors. These factors, for me, outweigh a little longer shipping time and a slight gap in the cup fit. I’m glad I bought both brands, however, and I get good use out of all the bras I purchased!

Then there’s the honorable mention that I didn’t even expect: the second Lively bra I bought. It was the All Day Deep V No Underwire situation and you want to talk about comfortable…oh mah geees. Now that is a bra I could wear everyday. It has just the right amount of structure, support, and lack of wire that is the perfect mix between comfort and professional.

When I put on ‘comfy clothes’ they usually consist of cashmere sweatpants and an oversized sweatshirt. Meanwhile, stylish clothes may involve heels and a dress.

That’s probably what a lot of people think…and they wouldn’t be wrong.

But what happened to all the middle ground?

Is it possible to have your cake and eat it too? Of course. Here’s how:

Stop thinking of comfy and stylish as opposite ends of the same spectrum.

Instead, think of them as two overlapping spectra. Some clothes may be a little comfortable and a lot stylish and others may be really comfortable and really stylish. It’s like diet food tasting terrible. Sure, some diet food isn’t good, but not all diet food tastes terrible. Once you grasp that, you will have an easier time with your diet. Likewise, once you understand that comfy and stylish are not mutually exclusive you will have an easier time dressing for comfort.

Choose your clothes wisely

Think for a minute about your comfort needs. Are you on your feet a lot and need comfortable shoes? Do you have sensitive skin and like specific fabrics? Maybe you like how certain clothes like yoga pants and sweatshirts ‘compress and conceal’ certain parts of your body you don’t like. Whatever it is, find your main comfort needs. Now, (here’s the important part) when you go shopping- remember those needs! If you have bad feet, don’t buy 4-inch heels. Buy cute riding boots with a comfy insole. If you love the feel of yoga pants, buy dress pants and jeans with stretch in them. This is especially important for the basics that make up your closet. (Click here to see the 20 essential basics every woman needs). Since you wear these items on a daily basis, the more in tune they are to your comfort needs, the more likely you are to wear them.

Organize your closet accordingly

I make a specific point of giving lounge clothes their own special spot in my closet. Likewise, workout clothes have their special spot. And it’s worth noting- that both of those spots are separated from work and casual ‘outside the house’ clothing. I even separate my t-shirts. My workout t-shirts are on a different side than my cute fashion t-shirts. The point is: by physically separating (and labeling if you can) your house clothes and your gym clothes you won’t be tempted to wear them to the grocery store or work. AND, if you’ve done the previous point correctly, your work clothes will fulfil your comfy needs and you won’t be as tempted in the first place.

I was sitting at lunch yesterday when my dining partner said something I’ve heard several times: “I feel like young employees have no idea what is appropriate and what isn’t in terms of workplace dress.”

Usually, when this comes up, friends and acquaintances will then go on to recount their own personal experiences of fashion faux pas, ranging from barefoot interns to visible tramp stamps on new hires. And lastly, this is the part I found most interesting, they always follow it up with self-blame.

“Maybe I’m not being open enough, but I don’t think it’s appropriate.”

Maybe I’m just old fashioned and these things are acceptable now.”

It wasn’t just my polished and very professional lunch buddy the other day who has relayed these thoughts to me. I hear it all the time, usually from middle-aged or older women who hold very good positions within their companies. So what’s going on here?

Appropriate work dress in the 1940’s. If not much has changed in the last 75 years, then I guarantee things like tattoos, piercings, and athletic wear are not making an office debut anytime soon.

For one, it has nothing to do with you not being ‘open enough’ so stop blaming yourself.

Period.

Appropriate workplace attire hasn’t changed that much in the past several decades and it’s probably not going to change that much in the near future. Sure, trends and silhouettes change, but shoulder pads are not the same as neck tattoos. If you work in a corporate setting, the biggest sartorial change in the last 50 years is that it is more acceptable to not wear panty hose.

That’s pretty much it.

Even though miniskirts were big in the 60’s or tube tops ruled the 90’s, you still didn’t see these trends infiltrating the corporate workplace.

Likewise, tattoos, sneakers, and multiple piercings may be acceptable in society, but that doesn’t mean they belong in a board room. We need to learn to segregate and compartmentalize what is acceptable in the workplace and what is acceptable in public in general.

Should you scowl and shake your finger at every neck tattoo you see? No, that would be rude.

Should you say something if you see that same neck tattoo in your corporate office? Yes, because the reputation of the company, and not just the individual, is now on the line.

Which leads us to the next point- how to deal with inappropriate dress at work.

First of all, your workplace should have an up to date dress code. No matter how small your business is, having a policy in place when it comes to dress will help make confrontations smoother and more objective. Without a dress code, you will look like you are picking on people and critiquing them for their personal style.

With a policy, you simply need to state what the company has defined as appropriate and ask the employee to stay within those bounds. Another key part, is to make sure your dress code is up to date. It may have been utterly unfathomable that anyone would come to work in a halter top fifty years ago when your dress code was first written. If you don’t make changes to update your policy, then you run the risk of having interns who think it’s okay to trod around the office barefoot. There are plenty of sample dress codes you can find online and make you own. If you’re business is bigger, you can always call upon an Image Consulting professional to help you draft an effective dress code for your company.

Side note: If you’re reading this wondering how you can dress better for work…this is my best advice: start with basics that are work friendly. When your basics are appropriate for work, everything else will fall into place. Not sure what basics I’m talking about? See my top 20 basics every woman needs here.

When you see inappropriate dress in the workplace, do something! If the person in question is not your direct report, contact their supervisor or human resources about your concerns. As I mentioned before, each employee not only represents themselves, but the company as a whole.

In the most basic sense, when you are hired on with a company, they are paying you to carry out their values and beliefs.

If you get hired as a barista at Starbucks, you are being paid to carry out their values of great coffee to the masses. If you are hired as the CEO of Google, you are being paid to advance the mission of Google at the top most level. It’s easy to forget that we are here for the employer rather than the employer being here for us. If our appearance doesn’t line up with the values we’re supposed to be representing, then something needs to change. If you don’t stand up against improper image in the workplace, the reputation of your organization might be at stake.

If reading this makes you upset, don’t get all huffy and start ranting about stifling creativity and identity. Instead, find a company whose culture matches your values. If you feel taking your nose ring out compromises who you are, then don’t apply for a job at a large business consulting firm. Find a more boutique consulting firm that values individuality. You’ll be a better employee, a better representative of the company, and won’t get any judgmental looks from co-workers.

If you are a business struggling with inappropriately dressed employees, a new employee trying to make a good impression, or a company that needs a new dress code, I can help! Whether you’re the employer or employee, I’d love to hear the problems you or your company is facing and help you work towards a solution. Just send an email to: empowerme@leslie-friedman.com to start the conversation.

It feels like only a few months ago that I was writing a blog post on how to dress in hot weather.

I live in Northeast Georgia where the humidity combines with high temperatures in the summer to create a sort of permanent outdoor steam room. In the winter, though, we may dip down to freezing a few times and scatter some snowflakes every three years for the fun of it.

I feel incredibly lucky that I don’t live somewhere cold currently, but seen that side of the weather spectrum too.

Surviving in negative 40-degree weather in Upstate New York is one thing. Looking fashionable in said icebox is a whole other thing.

I’ve had the privilege of living everywhere from New York to Arizona and quite a few places in between (helloooo Iowa!) Most of these places were cold as an iceberg during the winter and, much against my will, this Georgia girl learned how to dress for the winter- and dress well.

Here are the top tips I learned from working in the fashion industry in unbearably cold places:

1. Just one coat won’t cut it

Living in the South, you can get away with having one or two coats: one navy peacoat for casual settings and/or a fitted black coat for more formal affairs. Try having two coats somewhere cold and it’s like bringing one bathing suit on a three-month cruise. Outerwear is basically innerwear. I know innerwear isn’t a word, but you get the idea. You basically need almost as many coats and bulky sweaters. Your new innerwear outerwear isn’t just keeping you warm, it’s a vital part of your outfit.

Coats are a lot like shoes- you need a basic black pair, a practical pair, a fun pair, a serious pair…you get the idea. If you find coats to be rather boring, you’re in luck. This year is all about the statement coat…and they are everywhere at all price points. I recommend splurging on your daily classic pieces (psst. here are 20 classic pieces every woman needs in her wardrobe) and then spending less on a few fun statement coats like these:

2. Hosiery isn’t dead

Sometimes I feel like the only millennial that wears hosiery, but I’m totally okay with that. Why? Because my legs are way warmer than your legs. Seriously though. Don’t underestimate the magic of tights. Most tights these days are quite comfortable and they can add a little extra to any outfit. You’d be surprised how much warmer a pair of strategically layered tights (think: under your jeans!) is than your normal work ensemble. Here are some of my favorite outfits styled with tights.

3. Choose your fabrics wisely

Here’s something fun to think about: One wool sweater can be warmer than 2 cotton ones. Why? The nature of the fabric. Different fabrics are better (or worse) at helping your body regulate it’s temperature and stay warm. In the hot weather blog post, I wrote about which fabrics work best for hot weather…this time the tables are turned. Here are the best fabrics for staying warm:

4. Layer away!

I’m not going to lie, layering is tricky. Sloppy layering can make you look like a homeless vagabond while strategic layering can make you look like an Olsen twin. What’s worse is that layering is essential especially in today’s workplace. In the overly temperature controlled boxes we work in, the office may feel like Bermuda while it’s blizzarding just outside the window. How does one even begin to dress for that sort of situation…let alone dress well? The answer is layering. Being able to peel off layers and still look work appropriate (and fashionable!) is a skill that anyone can master. Here’s a whole blog post on my magic formula for creating the perfect layers.

There’s something about clothing this time of year that is just…entrancing. I’m not sure if it’s the glitter and shine or the extra details (bows, lace, and sequins Oh my!) that suck us in or the general fury of spending money.

Not only do you have so many more shiny and pretty clothes to buy this time of year, but you actually have a reason to wear them: holiday parties. Whether it’s a work party, Christmas or Channukah party, or New Year’s Party- you have a legit excuse to go shopping.

Between all the glittery options and the valid reasons to sport said glittery options, we sometimes get a little out of control and don’t make the best decisions. Have you ever bought a dress that ‘was totally not you’ just because you felt like you needed to wear sequins on New Years? Or what about that red shiny sweater you wore once before you realized you don’t even look good in red?

It happens to the best of us. My goal this year is that it doesn’t happen to you- at least when it comes to wearing clothes that look good on your body shape.

I’m going to go through the top 5 body shapes (not sure which one you are? Take the quiz here) and give you Holiday outfit ideas that will not only look great on you but also look good long after the Holiday buzz has worn off.

Enjoy.

Pear:

Pears have wider bottom halves (hips and booty), a defined waist, and a smaller top half. The best outfits and accessories for pears accentuate their top halves. That means statement jewelry and eye-catching tops are your best friends.

Rectangle

Rectangles usually have equal width hips, waist, and shoulders resulting in a straight up and down athletic look. Rectangle shapes are wonderful for maximalists because they can get away with things like full skirts, puffy sleeves, and glitter galore.

Hourglass

Hourglass shapes have a smaller, defined waist and equal width shoulders and hips. Because they are so amazingly curvy, they need to stay away from loose, sack styles. This is a great time to show off those curves, so choose more bodycon silhouettes.

Inverted Triangle

Inverted triangles have wider shoulders and more narrow hips and waist. The best outfits for inverted triangles are the ones that bring all the attention to their bottom halves. Full skirts, fun pants, and statement shoes are all great options.

Apple

Apples usually have undefined waists that are wider than their hips and shoulders. Apples usually have killer legs and a great decolletage. For these reasons, they’ll want to find clothing and accessories that accent their legs and neck area rather than their middle. Apples usually look really great in wrap blouses and dresses.

Did you know? I have a full e-course that is dedicated to helping you figure out exactly what looks great on you! It’s called the Ultimate #STYLE Course, and you might just want to add this to your Holiday Gift List. More info here.

White boots: arguably the most popular and terrifying trend to try this Fall/Winter/Next Spring and Summer.

The popular part you get; white boots are all over blogs, style mavens, and *gasp* even some brave ‘average’ people. Terrifying might need a bit more of an explanation.

Some trends are easy to pick up and run with. One such example of this is plaid. (In fact, I did a whole post on plaid outfits for every age- from Target!) White boots, on the other hand, are a bit more daunting. What should you wear them with? What should you NOT wear them with? How does this work with the whole ‘don’t wear white after labor day’ rule? (Hint: that’s a rule you buck in this case)

There are questions, I know. But I’m here to give you my top tips on wearing white boots and maybe even give you enough inspiration to go out and try your hand (foot?) at this season’s biggest footwear fetish.

Tip 1: Don’t put away your cropped pants just yet.

It’s not every season that you get to wear a pair of stunning white boots (they were last really in style in the ’60s!!) so you might as well show them off!

Tip #2: Keep the rest of your outfit simple.

If you’re worried about pulling off the white boot look, the biggest advice I can give you is to keep it simple. You know those basics every woman should have in her closet? This is where they pay off big time. If you pair the boots with neutral solids (or even classic prints like this plaid), you can’t go wrong.

Tip #3: Don’t be afraid to spice it up.

If you’re feeling a little more daring, try adding a statement coat (another big trend for Fall) or channeling the ’60s with a modern mini-dress.

One of the things I love most about the white boot trend is how perfectly it is going to go right into spring and summer. If you’ve been around here long, you know I don’t like to wear anything just once (not even my wedding dress!) and this trend will probably be around for a few seasons.

Have you bought a pair of white boots? How do you wear them? Tell me in the comments!

You don’t have to have a million dollars to look like you do! Here are 10 quick tips to have you looking your best…for just $10 or less.

1, Wear clothes that fit. You wouldn’t believe how much of a difference this makes- and how many people wear ill fitting clothing. Wearing clothing that fits your body shape is incredibly important and sometimes that means getting clothing altered. (Not sure what your body shape is? Take the quiz here) Many men’s stores will hem pants for free and do other alterations for minimal cost. Nice department store might also offer this service. Going to a tailor to bring in a button down shirt will cost around $15 while changing hemlines averages around $10. If you know someone who sews, they might be willing to do it for free or for an exchange (did anyone say wine?) Cost= $0+ depending on the alteration.

2. Be picky when you’re buying second hand. You can save a lot of dough by buying clothing and accessories second hand, but beware of purchasing items that look too rough. Make sure that you actually love the items you are about to purchase and that you aren’t just buying them because ‘they are so cheap!’ Garments still need to fit and be a flattering shape and color. (Hint: here are the top 20 basic garments every woman needs in her wardrobe- plus the perfect fit for your body shape) They should also be in good condition. Pretend like you’re in a high end store where everything is $500 plus. Would you buy the same thing in that situation? This will prevent you from having a closet full (cha-ching!) of mediocre clothes that look okay on you. Cost= $10 or less for second hand clothes.

3. Fill in your eyebrows. As we women get older, we often lose our hair (sorry guys, who didn’t know this), which is why thick locks are a sign of youth. Filling in your eyebrows is one of those changes that can make you look younger without being blatantly obvious. Make sure you choose the right pencil for your hair color and, if you are in a beauty store like Ulta, ask one of the salespeople to teach you how to use it. Cost= Eyebrow pencils on Ulta.com ranged from $1.99-$24. Want more tips on how to dress your age? Here’s how to dress in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s (coming soon!)

4. Improve your sleeping habits. Sleep looks good on everyone, and it’s free (Win-win? I think so) The biggest enemy of good sleep is your cell phone. Avoid looking at your phone (or any other screen) one hour prior to sleeping. I also use the ‘do not disturb (silence except for emergency numbers that I dictate) until my next alarm’ feature. Even if you don’t realize that your phone is glowing and beeping all night long, your REM cycle might. Getting a couple of extra Z’s will improve your complexion and save you money on cucumbers (or all those costly cremes and cover-ups). Cost= FREE!

5. Tuck in your shirt. My husband works in a factory setting and this tip works just as perfectly for factory workers as it does for top level executives. Why? Well, tucking in a shirt creates a waist (or any body definition) where there was none which looks better on any body shape. It also looks more pulled together and generally less sloppy. You didn’t just throw on a pair of pants and a shirt, you carefully manipulated your clothing to look more professional. Watch how much of a difference it makes here. Cost= 10 seconds.

6. Take care of your shoes and/or handbags. I have a friend who cleans her shoes off after every wear. It doesn’t matter if they were $300 or $3, she simply takes a clean cloth and wipes them down before putting them in back into her closet. The result is that she always looks polished and sharp, not to mention her shoes last forever. We may be able to fake a million dollar look, but shoes and handbags usually rat us out by looking slightly tattered. If you’re like me and don’t have time to daily clean your shoes, try doing it once a week while you watch tv or talk to a friend. Cost= FREE!

7. Exercise. Another freebie that makes a big difference. When you look at people in upper class society, you’ll see that they look more healthy than their lower socio-economic counterparts. Additionally, clothes look and fit their best when the wearer is at a healthy weight for their body type. You can blame cheap fast food, expensive gym membership access, or a multitude of other things on why this rich/poor healthy/unhealthy paradox exists…or you could do something about your own body. Planning out your meals will save you money, calories, and time. Parking further from your destination, getting off the bus a stop early, or going on an evening after dinner stroll in your neighborhood are all simple ways to start living a healthier life. Cost= FREE + a little time.

8. Learn how to barter. You may not have the financial resources it takes to buy the best clothes and purchase the best haircuts, but you might have something else. Think about what talents or services you provide and then use those to barter for what you want. Maybe you are great at social media. Ask a local salon who’s struggling with their online presence whether you can help them with their social media in exchange for haircuts/colors. This usually works best with friends and acquaintances. Just make sure that you are good at the service you’re offering and that you follow through on your end of the deal. Cost= FREE (or the cost of your services). Here are some quick tips on bartering from RealSimple.com.

9. Straighten up. Standing up straight can visually make you look 5 lbs lighter and years younger! There’s nothing more aging than a hunching posture. Look at any wealthy business person and you will see someone who carries himself or herself (upright!) with confidence. Practice sitting up straight while at your desk, typing, or even browsing your phone. Cost= FREE

10. Break out the blush. Our cheeks naturally flush when we are excited or aroused. This almost always reads positively by the person viewing you, because they subconsciously connect your excitability to being with them. Luckily, all it takes to fake this effect is to throw on some blush. A little bit of blush will immediately make you look fresh, vibrant, and youthful. Cost= $2.99+ from your local drugstore.

11. Choose colors that flatter your skin tone. Everyone has a certain color or set of colors that really bring out their best features. Work on identifying your colors (I dedicated a whole lesson to this in my e-course: The Ultimate #STYLE Guide!) and then start wearing them! Cost= nothing if you have clothing in your ‘good’ colors. If you don’t? Try buying a scarf. It’s a lot cheaper than buying a whole new shirt and you can pair it with items you already have.

12. Smile. I know it sounds cheesy, but have you ever hung out with someone who has a resting bitch face? Even if they’re saying nice, friendly things it’s hard to not think that they are constantly judging you, or are unhappy about hanging out with you, or are just plain uninterested. Cost = some face exercises.

13. Discover the many uses of coconut oil. Coconut oil is incredible. It will make your hair shiny and strong, your skin smooth as a baby’s butt, and your teeth several shades whiter…to name a few. Beauty gurus have been touting the positive beauty affects of coconut oil for years! Check out a whole list of things you can do with the magical stuff here. Cost = $7.99 usually for a jar.

Above all, remember to take control of the things you can, and don’t worry about the things you can’t! Money can’t buy attitude, manners, kindness, or presence.

Layering clothes– it’s what makes an okay outfit an amazing outfit. It’s where personality and creativity take off.

But it isn’t always easy.

If basic outfits are simple 1+1=2 arithmetic, then the art of layering is algebra. There are formulas and ways to solve for x and make a great outfit, but you have to know them (by instinct or learning). With that said, I would argue layering is considerably more fun than algebra.

Here’s your general formula for layering clothes:

Base garment + accent garment(s) + accessories = layered outfit.

Your base garment is the simplest version of your outfit and basically whatever is needed to keep you decent. In the below example, the base garment is jeans and a t-shirt. Nothing fancy, just a top and bottom so you don’t get in trouble for public indecency. There are 20 pieces of clothing that I consider base (aka the basics) garments and are the ultimate foundation for any wardrobe.

Your accent garment or garments (for the more seasoned layerer- not a word, but stick with me) consists of any extra pieces of clothing that you are wearing aside from the base garment. This could be anything from a cardigan to a vest or even a blouse. Accent garments are a great way to incorporate trends into your outfit. Check out the top 8 trends of Fall 2018 here.

Your accessories are the sprinkles on the cake. They fill in ‘visual holes’ (places on your outfit where you need more visual interest) and add the last little bit of personality.

Here’s the formula at work:

The basic jeans and t-shirt above layers various garments to create three very different outfit ideas. Some of these outfit examples are more casual and some are more dressed up. See if you can identify each part of the formula: base garments + accents garment + accessories.

It’s also important to note that it is easiest when the formula goes in that order: base + accent + accessory. Most people have trouble visualizing an entire outfit all pulled together. However, most everyone can add pieces one at a time (something I talk about in this free webinar). Even if you have to take off part of your base layer (like a dress) to add an accent garment (like a blouse), it’s still mentally easier to put the outfit together in the order of the formula.

That brings us to my next very important point. Layering can be done OVER or UNDER (or sometimes both!)

We usually think of layering in terms of putting a cardigan or blazer over a shirt. We are not wrong to think that but, but we are wrong to assume that that is the only way to layer! Putting a blouse under a dress is layering. Putting pants under a mini dress (thus making it a tunic!) is layering. Putting a dress under a pair of pants is layering. It may not all look good, but don’t limit yourself! Some of the best outfits are made by thinking out of the box.

Look at how this dress (as well as the example above) is layered both over and under.

Here we see one outfit that is layered under (the blouse is under the dress) and two that are layered over (the sweater and blazer). Just like the jeans and t-shirt example, the formula applied to this little black dress completely transforms the whole outfit.

There really is no rule to how many pieces you can layer, so have fun experimenting and deciding what works best for you! Everyone has a unique style (Not sure what yours is? Take the Style quiz here!) and layering is a great way to show it off!